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March 5th, 2012
Michael Easton Opens Up On His Move to GH, John’s Past with Sonny & the Future of Jolie!

Courtesy/ABC

One Life to Live fans are getting revved up for the return of one of their all-time favorite leading men and characters when Michael Easton premieres next week on General Hospital as John McBain on the March 13th episode! So, just how will this soap crossover work? How is John entreched in the story of the mob with Sonny Corinthos? And what about Melissa Archer’s Natalie coming over to join him in Port Charles? These questions and others were posed to the talented star in a new interview out today with TV Guide. Here are a few of our favorite and telling excerpts below!

Michael on his decision to make the move from Llanview to Port Charles: “Frank Valentini gave me an impassioned speech that really got to me. My biggest concern was that I didn’t want to go to GH just to bait some of the OLTL audience. I didn’t feel that was very valid or fair. It would just piss off the GH audience and disappoint the OLTL fans. There needs to be a really good reason why McBain is in Port Charles — something organic, not forced — and I think they came up with a good one. At first he’s there to apprehend and bring home Todd Manning to stand trial for Victor’s murder, but then Blair asks him to look after Starr and help see her through the loss of her baby and boyfriend. Then it’s revealed that McBain has a history with Sonny.Their relationship goes way back to McBain’s very early days with the FBI. Sonny was responsible for McBain losing someone who was very close to him. It was one of those situations where the only way he could catch Sonny was to corrupt evidence or manufacture some and he couldn’t find it in his heart to do that. So he had to bury it and let it go. So Sonny remained the one that got away, the big white whale. This time around, McBain is determined to see justice done one way or the other. ”

Michael on if Sonny and John get into it from the get-go: “Day one, he and Sonny have a casual encounter. No one knows what’s happened between them. But later Sonny tells Jason, “This guy’s going to be a pain in my ass. Don’t let him get carried away. Let’s get him the f–k out of Port Charles. My character also ends having a surprise history with some other characters, connections I didn’t see coming. I feel it’s very inspired.”

Michael on how the show will address John’s gal Natalie and their son Liam! “They’ll have their hands full trying to make that work because that baby was everything to McBain. I think they’re waiting to see if my storyline works or not. For now they have him calling Natalie saying, “This is going to take longer than I expected.” But they do need to deal with it since they have me tied up for quite a block of time.”

Michael on the sad and disappointing failure to bring One Life to the Internet after wrapping up 43 years on the air: “It really hurt. I’m not a particularly sentimental guy about things like that. I’ve been on so many primetime shows that were cancelled — after one episode, after 10 episodes, after just one season. I got used to that. But I found myself choking up a bit at OLTL. It was really hard to say goodbye to those people. It was not the way we wanted to go out. I wish we could have closed it out in the right way and really gone out with a bang, but hands were tied. I went to the wrap party and it seemed like everyone was medicated. It was kind of like that movie Westworld where everyone is walking around in a daze. And I really feel bad for the fans who were left with that false hope that something was going to happen. That’s why I feel so strongly about this move to GH. We have to do everything possible to keep these soaps going.”

So what do you think about how John will be woven into the GH canvas? the status of Jolie? And, Michael’s sentiments on the final days at One Life? Let us know!

the devastation that abc/d has wrought with the demise of One Life to Live cannot be lessened by seeing a couple of familiar faces on General Hospital. I will still be dvring GH and watch it at my convenience. I will not watch abc/d for any reason ever again. The powers that took OLTL away from us will not be rewarded by me. My heart is still broken…

Thanks for sharing this interview with us… Michael! Can’t wait to see Michael Easton on GH!!! So nice to see that they are trying very hard to handle it well and that they are considering the fans to a degree! After reading this looking forward to the surprises he left for us to see!

Can’t wait to see Michael Easton on GH March 13… Read his story on tvguide.com…His storyline sounds soooooooo interesting…I’m excited about….I liked reading this article vey much!!!!!!!!!!! He will tune- up Gh……….He will be a good addition to GH… John & Sonny can’t wait to see how this story will go!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A big plus for GH………. A step in the right direction… Positive direction………Again I’m so excited about this storyline after reading the article about Easton ontvguide.com….It will explode on gh !!!!!!!!!!!! Loving GH………………………….Keep up the good work OLTL WRITERS!!!!!!!!!!! KEEPing GH WERE IT BELONGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOAP FAN FOREVER

Thanks for pointing out the article on TV Guide… read the whole thing and nice to read the commentors saying they hope the mob stories end up maybe fringe stories on GH rather than 85-90% of the stories they’ve been having. Glad to know I’m not the only tired of GH being so contentrated on the mob stories.

Your welcome Christy… Hope you enjoyed the info on Michael Easton… He will stir up Port Charles !!!!!!!!!!! I know I did………. Looking forward to seeing John McBain which will be Tues. of nt. wk…(3/13) ,……….. Sad about Cole & Hope!!!!!! And clean-up Sonny’s act!!!!!!!!! Less gangster/mob stories will help GH to do MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!!!! I think people are tired of that storyline w/Sonny…I know I am……..John McBain to the rescue!!! One of my FAVORITE’S FROM OLTL….

I have no one to talk about the soaps with except here.. None of my friends watch the soaps………So I enjoy sharing my comments on line… To other soap fans…

lipstickcat replied March 7th, 2012 at 9:57 am

Your friends don’t know what they’re missing! I love this website too! I only found it when AMC was cancelled! I wish I knew about it a long time ago! It’s great!

Christy replied March 7th, 2012 at 7:26 pm

susan you confused me! ha! that was a thank you to Michael Fairman! te he he

susan M. replied March 8th, 2012 at 6:11 am

I was just trying to be nice!!!!!!!!!!!!! Excuse me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I appreciated the info on M. Easton that’s all… What is so confusing about that???????? I didn’t realize where the info came from…I was just thanking another soap fan..We soap fans should stick together!!!!!!! Don’t you think………Again I was only trying to be nice………..

susan M. replied March 8th, 2012 at 6:24 am

Reply to comment on 3/7 at 7:26pm……… I’m really surprised by this comment… This is the only way I can discuss the soaps with anyone because my friends don’t like them.. You gave me the info.. I thought it came from you because you responded to my comment… Understand now. Ithought it was just another fellow soap lover helping another soap lover….Are we on the same page now…

Christy replied March 8th, 2012 at 1:22 pm

wowie… no I wasn’t barking at you, not at all!… it was just when you said you’re welcome to my thanking for the article, which Michael provided the link to (1st story paragraph)… I thought maybe you worked for this website and then realized you thought I was thanking you… I was just confused cuz I just commented to the story , not to your post…. anyways, i thought it was funny…. please don’t hate me, fellow soap lover! Let’s start over. Hello fellow soap lover, what is your favorite soap and how long have you been watching it?

susan A. replied March 8th, 2012 at 2:52 pm

Replying to comment on 3/8 at 1:22pm Everything is cleared up…Let’s start over again… Fellow soap lover…My favorite soap or was OLTL…A very long time.. Can’t remember how many years… But do you remember the Woleks : Larry , his sister Anna & brother Vinny.. That could give you a clue to how long I have been watching OLTL….I started watching the soaps with my mom & have been watching them ever since…GH with Dr. Hardy , Lucille & Audrey!!! I watched them all on abc at one time…Back than they were only on for a half hour and shortly changed to an hour… But OLTL is my all time favorite soap.. Love Viki, Bo , Nora, Roxy, Rex, GiGi…The list goes on… My favoriye is John McBain & natalie,Jeesica.. Liked Antonio but he left the show… I miss OLTL TERRIBLY!!!!!!! I have tht cast picture of OLTL ina frame I bought.. I look at it every so often… And I get sad….That’s all for now.. If you want to chat again about the soaps , just leave me your comments and I will respond fellow soap lover….As I said I have no one to talk about the soaps except here.. My friends don’t like them… Talk to you later.

Christy replied March 8th, 2012 at 6:41 pm

oh girl, I’ve watched OLTL (my favorite too!) and GH all the way back to when they started – I was really little, but I totally remember – I remember when Dr. Larry Wolek was played by Michael Storm’s brother, James Storm who I believe left for Dark Shadows (which I also LOVED!), and remember Vicki was played by another gal, can’t remember her name, but I think she left to go to AMC and Erika took over. Those were 2 primo recasts! I remember GH, Steve, Jessie, Audrey – I remember scenes of little Scotty Balwin, his dad and mom – I believe his mom was crazy, literally! Yeah, I remember the Craigs, Carla and Ed the cop and Vinnie the cop – do you remember when Vicki was to about to get married and Niki popped out and ran off with Vince instead of getting married! Those were the days! I remember Vinnie with Wanda Sykes – and remember Wanda’s diner(s).

I have a ton of VHS tapes and now that I got a VHS/DVD recorder I want to burn the tapes (onto dvd) so they’ll last longer than a VHS player usually does! I’ve got Blair & Todd’s golden balloon wedding, think that was ’95…. wonder how far back my tapes go. So that’s how I get thru losing OLTL – I watch old tapes to get my fix! AND now we get a little taste of our favorite flavors with some of the characters on GH.

susan M. replied March 9th, 2012 at 9:00 am

Replying to comment on 3/8 at 6:41pm……….. Christy the first Vike before Erika Slezak was Gillian Spencer She left OLTL to go on AMC and plated Palmer’s wife….She played Viki (G Spencer) in 1968 when OLTL started…Do you remember Mark played by Tommy Lee Jones . He married Julie in 1971…Remember Joe Riley(Lee Patterson)………There was Price Trainer…..There was Meredith that was in 1971…………..There was Sadie in 1969 on oltl………….Remember joe riley’s sister Eileen in 1968…Erika Slezak auditioned fot the part of Viki in 1971……………And she started the very nt. day…I recorded the last week og OLTL & taped The View , the last day of OLTL….BOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!! all the Info I gave you on OLTL comes from soap Digest ONE LIFE TO LIVE TRIBUTE MAGAZINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!You can read from the early years & up to date stuff. IIt’s dated 1968-2012……..You should purchase it.. You would love it…So many memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I I will cherish It… I hace old soap digest’s from 5 to 6 years ago which I’m saving….I use to watch Dark Shadows………..Loved Barnabas Collins………………….So glad I have someone to talk about the soaps with !!!!!!!!!! Talk to you later…

Christy replied March 8th, 2012 at 6:47 pm

oh, Anna… oh yeah, Anna was Vince and Larry Wolek’s sister and she was married to Jim Craig. Vince married Wanda Sykes(?) and Larry was married to Vicki’s sister Meredith. Do you remember when Tommy Lee Jones was on the show? I think he played Mark something and was involved with Dorian… i think that’s right.

I got all my info — from my head! ha! it’s a wonder I remember so much soap stuff. Probably why other stuff won’t stay in! ha! I saw that magazine advertised after OLTL left the air and thought I missed it, but I just found it this week at Safeway – I think they must have printed more, cuz there is a note inside the cover that says something about ‘when we first made the issue it was when the internet deal was expected…’ I did notice they left out Christian Slater in the center section of various stars that have been on OLTL. He was on ages ago as a little boy.

Very good interview!
ME isn’t my favorite, however he is a piece of OLTL and for that reason I welcome him to GH. As far as Gnat goes, FORGET it! Hated them back in Landview and I hope she never comes to Pt Chuckles! How about Carly for Jawn when he needs sex? She will give it up!

What’s to hate? The fact that PIG slept with her sister’s fiance when she got dumped. Because Gnat can’t be without a man.
She is a liar. Manipulator.
In my opinion, they made that character into one nasty desperate ho.

gloria replied March 6th, 2012 at 8:28 pm

Debi, I have been debating with myself whether to respond to your comment or just let it go. I know we all have our favorite characters & actors & storylines & are entitled to our own opinions but I think your reply was just a little bit mean spirited. Don’t know how long you’ve watched OLTL but I remember the very first day Natalie appeared & boy what a ride. Such history & she had so much to overcome. She was raised by ROXY!! Give her a little credit! I will always remember the day she & Viki bonded & you saw the last OLTL, right? Natalie, Jessica, Viki & Clint? The girls are actually real twins, both fathered by Clint? That was such a precious moment but I am getting off topic. Every soap character sleeps with someone for some crazy reason & every soap storyline is based on either a lie or a secret. Just remember that. Natalie is no worse than any other character on any other show. But if she is not a favorite of yours, fine. Just don’t be so mean about it. Thanks. I miss OLTL.

Mary H replied March 27th, 2012 at 6:15 pm

I personally love John and Natalie together. The have such a history. I don’t want to see him with anyone else but Natalie. I am hoping she comes to Port Charles. Loving the storyline with GH right now it is getting good it had been in a slump for awhile. We can agree to disagree on who we like and dislike on our shows. Anyway Michael Easton is a hottie!

1loveabcsoaps replied March 5th, 2012 at 9:14 pm

Guess we agree on something else, Natalie. Please don’t come to Port Charles. Wasn’t crazy about her, and would bore during her scenes… But definitiely prefer Natalie over GH’s Liz. Natalie at least brought something to the canvas of Landview rather I liked her or not. I just don’t see the value in Liz, never really have. Natalie had value to the show, this I can say. Who is ” Gnat” and “Jawn ” ?

I forgot to add, Gnat and those eyes rolling all around her head when she tells a lie! Jaaawnnn!!

susan M. replied March 8th, 2012 at 6:30 am

I like Natalie & John together .. They have been threw so much!!!!!!!!!

Marolyn Knowles replied July 7th, 2012 at 2:47 pm

I don’t se the value of Elizabeth either. She is a very dull and dry actress.

Natalie should come to General Hospital. Need some beautiful women.

Samantha is very dull and boring and cant talk or act.

1loveabcsoaps replied March 5th, 2012 at 9:18 pm

Hey, someone below had a GREAT idea. Bring David Hayward from AMC. They need a REAL hospital villan. LOL
After-all, OLTL doesn’t have to have all the fun coming to Port Charles. AMC had some power player’s and David Hayward/ Vincent Irizarry was definitely one of them!!!!!

Definitely a great idea! Love Vincent Irizarry. He would make a great addition to GH….I’m all down for GH taking on some of the AMC characters, just as long as I don’t see Ryan or Greenlee anywhere near Port Charles….LOL

susan A. replied March 8th, 2012 at 6:34 am

Didn’t care for David Hayward…. He got too nasty …….That’s only my opinion…Plus I prefer OLTL over AMC.. Again that’s only my opinion…

barbara t replied March 11th, 2012 at 2:04 pm

missing david hayward,anyway remember I said a few months back that I found a one life to live trivia book for the 40th anniversary of one life to live?well here is something Interesting ,michael easton was asked if he would take over the role of todd,when roger howarth left,well of course he said no but told the guys that he would like to be a cop and thats when john mcbain was born ,that was cool ,this book I got has so much info.the day I went to wal mart and past those books and I looked over and that book was on a pile of books in a big bin,what were the chances of me seeing that book screaming out to me, take me home with you.a good find.

Not sure if I like knowing so much about the storyline but I am glad to see John McBain again. I just have a problem with the 3 pm timeslot. So I will have to start watching online at abc after I lose Soapnet. I hope it works so Natalie and Liam can come. Michael Easton is such a class act!!!!

Real happy to see this interview this morning! I caught it on tvguide.com. I kept searching for a crumb, something and jackpot:)

ME gave a real good interview, covered some key ques w/out giving too much away. A lot of it I was guessing (calls to Nat and the nod w/Sam). Although I was hoping for a Nat surprise, but I’ll wait….The rest was obvious, Sonny and the police dept. I really hope they eventually con’t w/Nat & Liam. Seems like he was reunited w/Liam for 10 min and Nat 5 min on OLTL. They were left hang’n & there’s more story to tell. I also like the range of emotions being a family man has effect McBain. He’s not just a cop. I’m excited to see more:)

IT was also thoughtful to consider the fans and to know the actors are just as hurt and saddened as we are. You can tell that cast was close and tight knit, but still good to hear that it wasn’t just a job. Its one thing to be cancelled once, then to be let down again.

I miss OLTL terribly and still sad. Trying to watch other tv shows, but still nothing comes close…

Well, if he does become the commissioner, can his first action be to fire Dante from the police force? This guy is a walking conflict of interest…..being that his father is a known crime lord, and Dante always seems to find himself on a case involving Sonny, I think it would be best if he just remove himself from the force. The circling of these issues between Sonny’s crime life and Dante’s police work is going beyond redundant. PC police force needs to be shaken up, and John McBain is the right guy for the job.

Michael Easton moving his character to GH is a wish come true he will add the much needed balance to the already unbalanced mob stories. My biggest worry is that they will ruin my favorite soap couple John and Natalie. Malissa Archer would add a lot to the GH canvas. This does not make up for the loss of OLTL which was soapy perfection this past year, but it will ease the pain a bit. Thanks RC and FV and thank you Michael Easton.

I couldn’t agree more! I love Natalie and John together they were definitely a super couple on OLTL and should be together on GH. To not bring her and Liam on so that they can be with John as a family would simply be ridiculous. For those of you that aren’t Nat fans sorry… I love Melissa Archer and think she added so much to OLTL when her character entered the canvas years ago. She and John have such chemistry together it only seems logical to bring her on board. However they may be waiting to see what happens with the ratings and potential cancelation we all know could be looming.

Ok, let me just say, I am loving the OLTL character additions. Now they need to bring David Hayward from AMC to work with Anna. Vicki to buck heads with Edward, and Erica Kane to get rid of Kate/Connie (can you say dull and fashionless)!

I hope John finally brings Jason and Sonny to justice and get s them sent off to Pentonville where they belong. I also hope more fan favorites, like Natalie, make their way over to Port Charles. Let the takeover begin! Long live ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

I hate to suggest anything to tptb. They are on the right track getting back the right people now. Lets sit back and watch them make their magic.
IMO we have gotten and are getting alot more than we ever dreamt to begin with.

love it that ther bringing john to gh,i have always loved micheal easton but it will not be the same without natalie and liam right by his side!john and natalie was one of the hottest couples on oltl and if they don’t get melissa over there soon,it will be a big mistiakle,i love jolie forever

I hope when John McBain visits PCPD there will be FBI (or do they call it BFI?) Wanted Posters for the still missing escapees from Pennsylvania… especially one Allison Perkins!! They could also have one for Troy and Lindseytoo! That would be funny to see them on wanted posters — kinda like hey, we haven’t forgotten y’all!

Oh I am so sad to I miss you so much but now your going to be on GM I will take it I Love you so much my dream is to meet you one day in person I am Hook On me some Micheal LOL Love You Lots am so glad I can see you again.

It will be interesting heading into summer and Fall. I haven’t heard anything about GH being cancelled like we did with the other two ABC Soaps. I hope GH gets a new contractual life and then you have a chance of developing these characters.

We’re in the same crappy boat Susan A. Nice to find some “Jolie” fans. Like another fan said, they discovered this website after AMC was cancelled. I discovered this after OLTL was cancelled. B4 i just relied on Soap Opera Weekly for my dish. Now I can’t get the info fast enough. This site gives great up to the minute info. Very grateful to Mr. Michael Fairman, can’t say enough. I also don’t have any fellow soap friends, etc.. to talk/vent to, so it’s another plus. I’ve been watching soaps for 20+ yrs and seen a lot of great super couples. Rgt now my fav is “Jolie”. They play those characters so intently & wonderfully tog. So I’m hoping it continues. We’ll keep good thoughts.

Agree with Emily & Susan A. OLTL was the best, every single day 1:00 I think it’s time for my show. I miss it so much. And I LOVE JOLIE! I have never understood the Natalie bashers. I have loved her since day one. I can’t believe it took till the last darn show to get her & John really together. I too, stumbled upon this site after Prospect Park dropped their awful bombshell the night before Thanksgiving. I am addicted to this site. I don’t have anyone to talk about all this with either-this site is great for that. If they can’t bring Natty (I loved when Rex & Roxy called her that) & Liam to GH they at least better have John calling her regularly & asking about Liam! I wish someone would mention calling Viki about Hope. Oh it is good to have Llanview people on GH but it really just makes me miss OLTL that much more. Why did it have to end?

Emily replied March 8th, 2012 at 3:42 pm

Thanks Gloria:) Yeah, don’t know why they messed w/OLTL. I’m not into alot of these reality shows and i have 2 kids, so movies are hard to come by. Hardly any good sitcoms. So tv is really limited these days, now w/the soap genre dying….depressing!!!

I agree w/every word and LOVE the actors on OLTL. Hope we get our wish:) I’ll toast u if we do.

I cant even begin to put down in words about john mcbain ,I love this guy to,all he has to do is look at the camera ,those beautiful eyes says it all,welcome to port charles john mcbain my favorite cop ,that now works for the FBI,Im counting the days,Its almost here.

hey 1loveabcsoaps,I havent missed anything here there have been so many comments including one from heather telling me to please get real.last saturday or sunday I wrote 3 posts, I went a bit overboard on one of them,go to annie potts fires back to newt gingrinch for his anti christian comments reguarding her doppy show ,Read my post then read what that sean guy wrote to me ,Tell me what you think,and how you would have handled it maybe I chose the wrong words because michael didnt post what I wrote,I felt if my post was not allowed then his (sean) should have been taken down because that sean guy sounds like a kook to me,maybe IM wrong let me know.Heres some news over at facebook ,I heard ron and frank were twittering ,how ever thats spelled ,anyway there saying there will be some interesting casting news this monday,I heard it at facebook so it can be a rumor.

I am so thrilled to see Mr. Michael Easton aka Caleb Morely . He get a second
chance for him and Kelly Monaco aka Livvie Locke to work together again…..
And then you have Steve Burton aka Jason Morgan …….I LOVE IT BRI NG
IT ON……..

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